Chimney cap



W. E. MORRIS Oct. 16, 1956 CHIMNEY CAP Filed March 4, 1954 Ami/max. 5 Mr: A". Max/M,

ie States This invention relates to a cap which is placed on the top of fireplace or barbecue chimneys, and an object of my invention is to provide a chimney cap which will effectively stop down drafts in the chimney and will produce a continuous up draft in the chimney, irrespective of the direction of the wind.

Another object of my invention is to provide a chimney cap in which water is drained to one side of the chimney, instead of dropping into the chimney and thence into a fireplace, or the like.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a chimney cap which is inexpensive to manufacture, which is easily installed, and also which will effectively prevent sparks from passing out of the chimney, and also prevent birds and insects from entering the chimney.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a chimney cap in which the carbon and soot particles, and the like, are retained within the chimney and prevented from passing out and staining the exterior of the chimney or the walls of the home.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my chimney cap in position on a chimney.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my chimney cap.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the base taken from line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a chimney which has the usual flue 2. My chimney cap 3 includes a base 4, which is preferably rectangular, although it may have other geometric shapes if desired. The upper edge of each wall of the base 4 is tapered inwardly, as shown at 5, and the purpose of this inclined surface will be further described. The cover 6 rests on the base 4 and is constructed in the following manner: Four or more corner posts 7 depend from the cover 6 and rest on top of the base 4, and particularly on the inclined surface 5. These corner posts space the cover above the base 4, thus forming openings 8, each of which openings are covered with a screen or wire mesh 9. This screen prevents any sparks from passing outwardly, and also serves to prevent birds and insects from entering the spaces 8. Any discoloration from the screen 9, or accumulation of carbon, is deflected inwardly by the inclined surface 5, and thus will not be deposited on the outside of the chimney, nor will it discolor the roof or walls of the home.

The upper surface of the cover 6 is inclined downwardly towards the center in four planes, as shown at 10, these planes forming an inverted pyramidal shape, the purpose being to provide a concavity which will cause the wind to be deflected upwardly as the wind passes horizontally, or approximately horizontally, over the chimatent O 2,766,678 Patented Oct. 16, 1956 ney. That is, wind striking any of the plane surfaces will be deflected upwardly.

In this regard a wind of any appreciable velocity which is moving somewhat horizontally or at an angle towards the ground, upon striking any of the plane surfaces of the cover will be deflected upwardly. This upward movement of air with relation to the chimney opening, therefore, will create an upward draft in the chimney and improve the operation of the fireplace. The upward deflection of the air will thus cause a reduced air pressure in the openings 8, and particularly on the side opposite the direction of the wind, thus creating an upward draft in the chimney, and also preventing the air from blowing down in the chimney and causing pressure therein. A drain hole 11 is provided in the cover 6 and at the center thereof, for the purpose of accumulating any water and allowing this water to drain through the cover 6. A spider 12 is formed in the base 4, and this spider includes a central cup 13 and a drain channel 14 which communicates with a drain hole 15 in one wall of the base 4. Thus any water which falls on the cover 6 will be drained 01f through the hole 15 and thence will fall onto the roof of the house.

The base 4, as well as the cover 6, is formed of a cast concrete or cement mixture, having a light aggregate so that the entire structure is quite light. The base 4 is cemented to the top of the chimney 1, and the cover 6 is then placed on top of the base. The inclined surface 5 centers the cover 6 and also prevents the cover from shifting horizontally. The corner posts 7 support the cover the proper distance above the base 4 and provide the necessary outlet openings or spaces 8. The concave upper surface of the cover 6 will cause the air tobe deflected upwardly when it passes over the chimney cap, and this upward movement of the air will create an up draft in the chimney, due to an upward movement of the air on the side of the chimney cap opposite the direction of the wind. Any accumulated water which might fall on the cover 6 is drained off through the hole 15, and will thus not fall into the chimney and thence into the fireplace.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A chimney cap adapted to be mounted on a chimney, comprising a base fixedly mounted on the top of the chimney, said base consisting of a centrally open structure formed by vertical side walls, a cover resting on the side walls of the base, said cover being spaced from the top edge of the side walls to form openings between the bottom of the cover and the top of the side walls, a plurality of posts depending from the cover and resting on the side walls to space the cover from the top edge of the side walls, a wire mesh extending between said posts and covering said openings, the upper surface of said cover being inclined downwardly to the center, a spider within hte side walls of the base, said spider having a central cup and a drain channel extending from the cup to one of the side walls of the base, and one of the side walls of the base having a hole therein to which said channel extends, and said cover having a hole in the center thereof positioned above said cup.

2. A chimney cap adapted to be mounted on a chimney, comprising a rectangular base fixedly mounted on the top of the chimney, said base consisting of a centrally open structure formed by vertical side walls, the upper edge of the side walls of the base being tapered inwardly, a cover mounted on the side walls of the base, a post depending from each corner of the cover and resting on the tapered top edges of the side walls, said cover being spaced from the top edge of the side walls to form openings therebetween, a screen wire extending between the corner posts and between the cover and side walls to enclose said openings, an upper surface on said cover, said upper surface being inclined downwardly to the center in 1 3 a pyramidal form, said cover having a hole in said upper surface and at the center, a spider Within the side walls of the base, said spider having a cup formed in the center thereof below said hole, a drain channel extending from the cup, and a drain hole in one wall of said base, said 5 channel extending to the drain hole.

Silver Nov. 8, 1921 10 Fisher Oct. 19, 1920 Hamblin June 22, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 6, 1948 

